The hospitality industry of PALM SPRINGS-DESERT RESORTS loves weddings and collectively rolls out the red carpet to couples wanting a weekend of fun, relaxation, romance and pampering for their wedding party and guests. 

Laurie Lund, event coordinator and owner of  THE EVENTS DEPARTMENT  shares with us the magic that is available in the greater PALM SPRINGS AREA as well as the convenience and affordability of a Califonria mainland destination.  

When couples are considering a tropical, warm weather location, they often consider Hawaii, the Caribbean or the Bahamas. While these destinations are fantastic, their distance from the US mainland and the associated travel costs often preclude many guests from attending.    

Palm Springs-Desert Resorts is located in Southern California, just a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles and San Diego and a very short plane trip from all major cities in the Western United States. Palm Springs International Airport has connecting flights from all over the world with a flight schedule tailored to the leisure and resort traveler.

7 major resort hotels, countless, quaint boutique B&B’s, numerous country clubs, exquisite private estates, 130 golf courses, more spas than you can list and five star catering companies  all say “welcome” to the destination wedding. It’s no wonder PALM  SPRINGS-DESERT RESORTS is a wedding destination of great popularity.

For the wedding couple looking for the epitome of individuality and a wedding experience like no other, private estates and secluded villas dot the greater PALM SPRINGS area  from Indio to Palm Springs proper. You won’t find these exclusive venues in any destination guide as they are “by appointment only” and strictly guarded by  their property managers.

Laurie Lund, owner of THE EVENTS DEPARTMENT and seasoned wedding and event coordinator is one of the select few that represent many of the spectacular and discrete properties. She recently gave us a whirlwind tour of a few of her favorites.  Although exclusive and a bit pricey, you may be surprised at the value when you consider many estates include overnight accommodations for the Bride and Groom.

Imagine being married on the lawn of MARILYN MONROE & JOE DIMAGGIO.  SANDACRE was the alleged home of the couple for years and behind the massive wooden entry gates,  lies elegance and Hollywood mystic beyond description.  A sprawling front lawn, private tennis court, small side yard lawn and poolside all serve as beautiful ceremony  sites. Guest lists of 100-175 find this venue comfortable and gracious. Use your imagination and you just might see Marilyn herself, blowing you a kiss from her famous bedroom balcony!  

Petite and gem like, best describes THE RUSSELL HOUSE, a Mid Century Modern masterpiece in very much the Albert Frey style, perched in the hills of Palm Springs with views of the entire valley from its Infinity pool backyard. Suited for only the smallest, most intimate events, this venue is perfect for 2-5 people  and does accommodates overnight guests

Hip, Cool, best describes the retro “Rat Pack” home of FRANK SINATRA. Known as Twin Palms, this trendy Palm Springs original still has Sinatra’s, mark everywhere.  A piano shaped pool, his original LP record player and lest we forget the infamous bathroom sink, said to have been cracked during a heated quarrel between him and Ava Gardner. Rehearsal dinner, ceremony,  reception and post wedding brunch can all be accommodated within the estate with little sense of repetition.

 The drama and opulence of the SOLOMON estate is the perfect setting for the platinum wedding.

The nice thing is, per Laurie Lund, you can have a platinum wedding without the platinum price tag!  Save on flowers and décor, the natural setting is “over the top!” 10,000 Sq Ft of grand elegance, fully furnished (or not) and majestic private grounds perfectly manicured with walkways, pools, and conversation cabanas can comfortably accommodate events of 300+ guests.

Do the old world styles of Spain and Italy appeal to you?  The BOUGAINVILLIA estate in Indio will transport you without ever leaving the USA!   Fully self contained this hacienda style venue can comfortably sleep 10, has a   1 acre lake, water features, lanai and a 5000 Sq Foot lawn area.  Gorgeous pool, outdoor BBQ & Full outdoor kitchen, game room and multiple conversation areas are just a few of the amenities within this gated estate.

For the nostalgia and history of old Palm Springs, THE O’DONNELL HOUSE, high on the hill overlooking downtown Palm Springs is a spectacular venue. Rich in history, the O’Donnell House is ideal for guest lists of 100 or less. The ceremony site is a pristine, private grass area nicely tucked behind the main house. After the ceremony guests will migrate to the reception patio with views that you can hardly believe, The evening stars above and the city lights below create a magical evening of dining and dancing your guests will never forget! 

 The CREE Estate is a lavish hacienda built in the 1930s.. Sprawled over two and a half acres of lush landscaping, 2 swimming pools, multiple patios, meandering lawn areas, the Cree Estate captures the simplicity and warmth of old-fashioned Mexican architecture, The best way to appreciate all of the Cree Estate’s amenities is to book the entire compound  for a wedding weekend. With six bedrooms, three kitchens and a formal dining room, the Cree can effortlessly take you from rehearsal dinner to post-wedding brunch. Known as one of Hollywood’s most discrete celebrity accommodations, Christina Applegate in fact selected this estate above all others for her wedding. Close to Palm Springs, easy access from the airport, your wedding guests will find an assortment of additional accommodations just minutes away.   

If you are considering Palm Springs as your destination wedding location, plan a weekend to browse the area, meet with vendors and preview various venues. To make the most of every minute of your scouting weekend and to get the “inside scoop” on PALM SPRINGS-DESERT RESORTS, schedule time with Laurie Lund, an expert on Palm Springs and a professional destination event planner with 20 years experience in helping clients realize the event of their dreams. 

For more information on these venues and planning your destination wedding weekend,

contact  LAURIE LUND  800 525 7634
THE EVENTS DEPARTMENT

Their event becomes much more than just a beautiful ceremony, it becomes an experience, a weekend of individuality and expression, perfectly orchestrated to reflect their style, graciousness toward their guests and love for each other.

The greater PALM SPRINGS area is a magical destination for couples wanting to create a wedding event that is distinctive and unique, truly their own.

The beauty of PALM SPRINGS is its proximity to several large metropolitan cities and the ultra easy access for national and international air travel. The greater PALM SPRINGS area does everything it can to lure and romance couples seeking an original, elegant wedding experience.
 

 Beautiful churches, gorgeous country clubs and 7 grand hotel resorts all present wonderful options for the PALM SPRINGS DESTINATION WEDDING weekend. But, the slightly off center, eclectic, unique and discrete venues found only through a professional event planner is where the Palm Springs area really shines!

PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING

When planning a destination wedding, the first 2 questions you must discuss and resolve are:

Question #1. What is your budget?  Truly, in your heart of hearts, before you ever make a single phone call, decide on what you would “like to spend” and what you are “willing to spend” on your event. Somewhere between these two numbers is your “reality.” 

Question #2. What type of weekend experience do YOU, as a couple, want to share with our family and friends. Quite often, well meaning family and friends weigh in very early and impact your original ideas and true wishes. Keep in mind, although family is very important, this is your day and should evolve into an experience exquisite and uniquely your very own.

When considering a destination wedding, having the assistance of a professional “on the ground” in your desired area, is invaluable. She or he, will most certainly help you save precious time and yes, even money! They know the ropes, so to speak, and can efficiently help you sort through and organize all the details that can become overwhelming and unfortunately, if mismanaged, costly. They will help you select the perfect mix of required vendors and introduce you to many location-venues you may have never even considered.

 Cathy O’Connell owner of “Celebrations of Joy” is a professional wedding-event planner in the greater PALM SPRINGS area. Her experience, connections and local insight opens doors you may never find on your own! She recently took us on a tour of 4 of her favorite wedding venues, a variety to be sure, each spectacular and original and certainly off  the beaten path.

THE LIVING DESERT. Located in Palm Desert Ca, was established in 1970 as a non-profit education and conservation center dedicated to preserving desert plant and animal life.  It contains lush botanical gardens and more than 430 desert animals representing 150 breeds including endangered species such as Grevy’s zebra, Arabian oryx, Mexican gray wolves and Peninsular Bighorn sheep. Throughout the park are amazing areas perfect for social events both large and small.  With the assistance of an experienced planner, this rustic but refined outdoor establishment can be transformed into an unforgettable wedding venue.  

The Commissioners house, an intimate living-dining room authentically appointed  accommodates parties of 50 or less and  is a slice of African heaven.

The Palm Patio, for larger parties of 50-400 lets you dine and dance under the stars surrounded by beautiful Palm trees and the natural sounds of the desert.

The newest event space is the Chase Building. The epitome of cultural class, this indoor-outdoor space offers an outdoor patio space for cocktails and dancing , interior space for formal dining and a private collection art gallery for continued socialization.

 HOME OF WILLIAM HOLDEN.

A private home perched in the hills above Palm Springs still reflects the life and times of William Holden and Stephanie Powers. Their love for Africa, and their zest for gracious entertaining are evident in this spacious 7000 SF home with indescribable views.

THE ACE HOTEL recently transformed, is a trendy, campy hotel located in Palm Springs, Ca. that appeals to the hip style seekers of Hollywood, San Francisco and New York.  Edgy, original, and extremely comfortable, it is part of a very successful hotel chain out of Portland Oregon.

Chrome, glass, steel, lashed canvas and concrete create the huge gymnasium like event compound adjacent to a gorgeous pool. The glass walls completely open and dissappear to create an amazing indoor-outdoor venue. Hosting your entire wedding at the Ace Hotel with 450 guest rooms, restaurant, room service, 2 pools and a relaxed atmosphere is a spectacular option.

THE LA QUINTA RESORT.  Nestled at the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains, tucked within this amazing resort is LA CASA, the  former personal retreat of Greta Garbo. A petite lawn and garden  is transformed into your very own, very private ceremony site. Migrate to the intimate covered patio with outdoor fireplace for cocktails then enjoy your reception under the stars as you dine and dance the night away surrounded by flowers and citrus trees. Nicely secluded, this venue is away from most resort traffic, personal, private and quite perfect!

A DESTINATION WEDDING CAN BE THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME. Enjoy the process from planning to savoring every single minute of your weekend. Spend the weekend in Palm Springs and discover the magic of the California desert resort area and all it has to offer. For a destination consultation and area tour with a true professional, contact Cathy O’Connell. 

Visit   CELEBRATIONS OF JOY or call  760 777-8420  Tell her you saw the desert on  BeHereTV.com!

A Palm Springs Destination Wedding offers endless possibilities for the wedding party and their guests.

Destination Weddings-Beheretv will be your resource for who to contact, where to stay, what to do, and how to make the MOST of your vacation-destination wedding weekend. We will bring you interviews with top wedding planners, caterers, videographers and photographers and will preview-tour several private venues, never before seen online.

Are you more about the beautiful out doors and less about a formal ballroom? Would a trek into a Palm Oasis vs. a grassy lawn for your ceremony site be more to your taste? From the estate of Marilyn Monroe to a picnic in Joshua Tree National Park, we will bring you whats HOT and what’s SUPER COOL in desert destination weddings

The Perfect Destination Wedding

Discover the latest trends in desert wedding; flowers, food, beverages .

Coming this Fall, our video series on The Perfect Destination Wedding...

1. Planning your wedding via long distance
2. How to select the perfect venue
3. How to choose your caterer
4. A list of activities to entertain your guests
5. Meet top event planners
6. See the work of the Deserts best Photographers and Videographers
7. Hear a leading florist discuss how to make the most of your floral budget

Subscribe to Beheretv.com today for notification of each new segment.